TODAY’s Weather
Life
Sports
See page 5
See page 6
Staff Writer Ben Ries previews the Punch Brothers' upcoming concert
The Sports staff profiles John Jenkins' superlative performance against the Wildcats on Saturday
Sunny, 62 / 39
The Vanderbilt Hustler T h e
Monday, February 14, 2011
v o i c e
o f
Va n d e r b i lt
s i n c e
18 8 8
www.InsideVandy.com
123rd year, no. 15 campus news
basketball
Vandy drops Wildcats game day: No. 23 vanderbilt 81, No. 18 kentucky 77
Students' rights at Vanderbilt under question by organization lucas loffredo Staff Writer
john russell/ VU Media Relations John Jenkins (23) celebrates a 81-77 victory over the Kentucky Wildcats on Saturday with the student section in Memorial Gym.
The individual rights of students at Vanderbilt are being infringed upon, according to a nonprofit educational foundation that defends freedom of speech, legal equality, due process, religious liberty and sanctity of conscience. Adam Kissel, vice president of programs at the national group Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE), will give a lecture entitled “The State of Student Rights at Vanderbilt” from 5-6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 23, in Wilson Hall 103. The talk is being hosted by the student organization Vanderbilt Young Americans for Liberty (YAL). YAL President Kenny Tan and Secretary Thomas Choate said
FIRE’s organizational purpose is in line with their own and, as such, chose Kissel to speak, citing his significant public speaking expertise. “(YAL) was attracted to the organization’s commitment to identifying and rectifying restrictive speech codes at universities throughout the country,” Choate said in an e-mail. “Adam Kissel … seemed a logical choice for presenting the organization’s message and how it applies to our Vanderbilt community.” “Since joining FIRE (Kissel) has spoken about individual rights on college campuses in 12 different states and the District of Columbia,” Tan said. “He also spoke (Saturday) at the Conservative Political Action Conference.” Please see fire, page 3
alumni news
Vanderbilt Alumnus wins Facebook competition, interviews George W. Bush Wyatt Smith, Vanderbilt alumnus of the Class of 2010, was chosen to interview former President George W. Bush as part of a nationwide Facebook competition aimed at promoting Bush’s book, “Decision Points.” The Keegan Scholar and former student body president sat down with President Bush for a 40-minute interview on Feb. 7 at Bush’s offices in Dallas, Tex. The Hustler corresponded with Smith through e-mail about his experience. The Vanderbilt Hustler: How did you get the opportunity to interview President Bush? Wyatt Smith: I won the opportunity to interview President Bush through a Facebook competition aimed at generating publicity for the president’s memoirs, “Decision Points.” Contestants were asked to submit five questions that they would ask the president, if given the opportunity. I was in Iraq, studying postwar democratic institution building when I learned about the contest, so I thought that it would be interesting to frame my questions through the lens of my traveling fellowship. My questions at that point focused on the decisions he made to balance civil liberties with security interests in the wake of 9/11, his views on the effect of his HIV/AIDS relief efforts in Africa and his take on the future of Iraq, after the invasion, among other points. I was selected as one of 100 semifinalists and asked to submit a two-minute video explaining why I deserved the chance to interview Bush, which I did from Istanbul, highlighting my traveling fellowship and my plans to join the Teach For America organization, among other points. I was selected as one of five finalists across America, and our videos were submitted to the Facebook community for a vote. Thanks in large
part to the support of the Vanderbilt community, I won that voting competition on Nov. 6 and was chosen for the interview. Since I was out of the country in November/December/January, we had to schedule the appointment for early February. VH: What were your overall thoughts on the President? WS: President Bush welcomed me warmly to his office, and I felt comfortable throughout our entire interview. He revealed many of the talents that led to his success in politics, like when he offered to call my father at the end of the interview to say hello and congratulate him on “doing his duty” as a parent. Some of my reservations with his presidency were confirmed as well, like when he told me that he sees an “ideological struggle” taking place in the world, and the liberation of 25 million Iraqis as a victory in that struggle. Overall, I appreciated the opportunity to speak with him and consider the experience to be a major highlight in my Keegan Fellowship travels. I believe that President Bush’s legacy will evolve over time, just as it does for every president, and that history may reveal him as a visionary for predicting the onset of democratization across the Middle East.
Courtesy of the Office of George W. Bush Vanderbilt alumnus interviewed former President George W. Bush on Feb. 7 after winning a nationwide Facebook competition meant to promote Bush's book explaining his presidential decisions, "Decision Points." VH: What was the most interesting answer the president gave you? WS: President Bush gave a number of thoughtful, candid answers to my questions. Perhaps is most interesting answer came to the aforementioned question, “Do you worry that, in the future, some (presidents) might look back (on your decisions) and say that they have more justification
or reason for expanding executive authority?’ In response, President Bush told me that he saw it as the president’s responsibility to protect executive power and the Congress’ responsibility to check it. If both sides are pushing to advance their power within the system, he reasoned, then checks and balances result in a more even distribution of power among the branches. ■
2
Monday, February 14, 2011
The Vanderbilt Hustler
www.InsideVandy.com
GO
feature photo
Got time for just one campus event this week? Here’s our pick ...
Answering Kennedy’s Call: College Students, Politics & Public Service in the 21st Century • When: Wednesday, Feb. 16 • What time: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. • Where: Student Life Center Ballroom • Open to the Public • Cosponsored by the Office of Active Citizenship and Service and the Harvard University Institute of Politics, this symposium will discuss President Kennedy’s 1963 speech to Vanderbilt students on the meaning of public service and examine its relevance for Vanderbilt students in the 21st century.
organization spotlight by katie krog
Christen Sottolano/ Photo Provided Senior Class Fund officers Patrick Seamens, Kate Foster, Eric Walk, Aysha Malik and Zachary Pfinsgraff.
Murphy Byrne/ The Vanderbilt Hustler John Jenkins (23) drives the ball during Saturday's game against the Kentucky Wildcats. The Commodores won 81-77.
need to know nation
The top news stories from around the nation that you need to know to be informed this week.
Egyptians hopeful as they face uncertain future with military in charge
CAIRO (AP) — Egyptian protesters were jubilant Saturday over their success in ousting President Hosni Mubarak, but many vowed to stay camped in a central Cairo square until they hear “clear assurances” that the military will meet their demands for democracy. Burnt-out vehicles were towed away while people, including young activists wearing surgical masks, swept the streets and hauled away mounds of trash. Soldiers removed barricades to open at least a road leading to Tahrir, or Liberation, Square after a night of euphoric celebration and nearly three weeks of protests that forced Mubarak to surrender power to the military. Many wore placards saying “Sorry for the inconvenience, but we’re building Egypt.” ■
Analysis: Conservatives not yet rallying around any 1 candidate for 2012
WASHINGTON (AP) — Conservatives are fired up to defeat President Barack Obama. Now the hard part: finding their candidate. A year until the Iowa caucuses, this important part of the GOP base hasn’t rallied around any one person and it doesn’t seem all that enthusiastic about its options — even though more than a dozen Republicans, and counting, are considering candidacies. Such restiveness among conservatives also portends a volatile and unpredictable nomination race as Republicans with similar policy positions try to convince skeptics they alone can unite a cultural, economic and security-focused right — and win. ■
FBI releases file on Ted Stevens, painting colorful picture of longtime Alaska senator
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — The FBI file of the late U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens adds colorful detail to the life of the longtime Alaska lawmaker, but reveals few new facts about the 2008 corruption case that ended his political career. Friday’s release of a roughly 3,600-page file comes six months after Stevens’ death in a plane crash in Alaska, the state he represented for 40 years in the U.S. Senate.
It includes documents detailing threats made against Stevens during his time in office, complaints against Stevens that seemingly went nowhere and requests from the senator that his office be swept for listening devices amid the Watergate scandal. ■
Va. Sen. Webb tells AP he plans to push for criminal justice reform before leaving Senate
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — U.S. Sen. Jim Webb of Virginia says he plans to push for passage of criminal justice reform legislation before he leaves the Senate in nearly two years. Webb contends that the current system incarcerates too many people at too high a cost, with poor results. He said legislation got bogged down last year but that he’s confident it will pass in this session. Webb announced this week that he had reintroduced the National Criminal Justice Commission Act to create a panel to review the system and make reform recommendations. He noted that the measure had bipartisan support last year, clearing the Senate Judiciary Committee and passing the full House of Representatives. ■
Obama budget director says proposed cuts won't be painless, but GOP says they're not enough
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama will send Congress on Monday a $3 trillion-plus budget for 2012 that promises $1.1 trillion in deficit reduction over the next decade by freezing many domestic programs for five years, trimming military spending and limiting tax deductions for the wealthy. Jacob Lew, the president's budget director, said Sunday that the new spending plan for the 2012 would disprove the notion that "we can do this painlessly ... we are going to make tough choices." Republicans rejected that appraisal, castigating Obama for proposals that will boost spending in such areas as education, public works and research, and charging that Obama's cuts are not deep enough. They vowed to push ahead with their own plans to trim $61 billion in spending from the seven months left in the current budget year and then squeeze Obama's 2012 budget plan for billions of dollars in additional savings in response to voters alarmed at an unprecedented flood of red ink. ■
The Senior Class Fund: Funding a legacy With 88 days until graduation, one group of seniors is working to ensure the Class of 2011 leaves a financial legacy at Vanderbilt. The Senior Class Fund allows seniors to give back to Vanderbilt by donating to their favorite organizations. Zachary Pfinsgraff, a senior and the chair of the Fund, said the Fund’s purpose is twofold. “First, it’s to bond together as a senior class and encourage the senior class to give back,” Pfinsgraff said. “Second, to improve the value of your degree. The Senior Class Fund directly impacts U.S. News & World Report rankings.” According to Pfinsgraff, Vanderbilt has some work to do. He said only 22 percent of the Vanderbilt Class of 2010 gave to last year’s Fund, compared to 55 percent of Duke University’s Class of 2010. In addition, 39 percent of Duke alumni donated to Duke in 2010, while only 24 percent of Vanderbilt alumni donated to Vanderbilt in 2010. According to Pfinsgraff, seniors can direct their donations to any organization or area of campus that they wish, and all of their donations count towards the Fund. According to the Fund’s website (www.vanderbilt.edu/ seniorclassfund), as of Friday, 115 seniors had donated to the Fund. Its goal is to collect donations from 450 seniors. Pfinsgraff estimated approximately 1,500 students comprise the Class of 2011. “The recommended gift is $20.11,” Pfinsgraff said, “but it’s not about the amount you give; it’s the fact that you do give.” The Fund recently collected donations during its 100-day celebration, which marked the number of days until graduation. According to Pfinsgraff, about 40 seniors donated to the Fund during the 100-day celebration. He said as many as 1,000 seniors signed a senior class banner, which the Fund plans to display at future class reunions. “It was really cool to gather our whole class together,” Pfinsgraff said. ■
The Senior Class Fund’s next event: Tuition Freedom Day • Wednesday, Feb. 23. • Sarratt Promenade and the Commons lobby • 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Your tuition only covers 70 percent of the cost of your Vanderbilt education. The other 30 percent is covered by additional support, a large portion of which is alumni donations, according to the Fund. Alumni donors from the Vanderbilt area will be on campus for the celebration. “Its our symbolic way of showing the impact of alumni donations,” said Fund chair Zachary Pfinsgraff. “We are so heavily reliant on these alumni. They’re the ones allowing us to go to class and do all these great things.”
SERVICE GUIDE
Location
To Advertise
Corrections
Subscription Rates
The Vanderbilt Hustler (ISSN 0042-2517), the student newspaper of Vanderbilt University, is published every Monday, Wednesday and Friday during the academic year except for during exam periods and vacations. The paper is not printed during summer break. The Vanderbilt Hustler allocates one issue of the newspaper to each student and is available at various points on campus for free. Additional copies are $.50 each. The Vanderbilt Hustler is a division of Vanderbilt Student Communications, Inc. Copyright © 2010 Vanderbilt Student Communications.
The Hustler offices are in 130 Sarratt Student Center on the Vanderbilt University Campus. Address postal mail to 2301 Vanderbilt Place, VU Station B 351504, Nashville, Tenn. 37235-1504.
Display ads: (615) 322-4237 or e-mail vanderbiltmedia.advertising@gmail.com Display fax: (615) 322-3762 Office hours are 9 a.m. — 4 p.m., Monday — Friday Visit us online at http://www.vscmedia.org/ advertising.html
The Hustler strives for accuracy and fairness and will correct errors of substance. See our correction policy on the Opinion page for information about notifying us.
Subscriptions are available for $125 per semester or $200 per year. Checks should be made payable to The Vanderbilt Hustler. A pdf subscription order form is available at http://www.vscmedia.org/hustler.html
Affiliations The Hustler is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press, Columbia Scholastic Press Association, College Newspaper Business and Advertising Managers, Southern University Newspapers and the Southeastern Journalism Conference and is an associate member of the Associated Press.
To Report a News Item Campus news: Call 322-2424 or e-mail news@insidevandy.com Sports results: Call 343-0967 or e-mail sports@insidevandy.com
Printer The Hustler is printed at Franklin Web Printing Company in Franklin, Tenn.
Back Issues Back issues are available in Sarratt 130 during business hours.
www.InsideVandy.com
Monday, February 14, 2011
The Vanderbilt Hustler
3
category name here
Obama administration proposes cuts to higher education programs think the subsidy has failed to encourage more students to attend graduate school and it isn’t wellmatched to borrowers who have trouble repaying the loans. The administration also has expanded other programs that help students reduce loan payments and ultimately forgive debt they can no longer afford to repay. Another $4 billion in savings over 10 years would be achieved by broadening the use of IRS data to determine eligibility, reducing improper payments and easing the application process, the official said. Faced with growing annual budget deficits and a national debt into the trillions of dollars, Obama has said his latest budget proposal would save $400 billion over the next decade, including
through a five-year freeze on some discretionary spending and cuts to programs that he says even he cares about. But at the same time, Obama wants to increase spending in areas he says are priorities, such as education and innovation, which he says are important for long-term economic growth and competitiveness. “It would be a mistake to balance the budget by sacrificing our children’s education,” he said Saturday in his weekly radio and Internet address, in an apparent warning to Republicans. House Republicans want to cut $100 billion from the budget proposal Obama submitted for 2011 and education and college financial aid are expected to take a hit.
fire: Community Creed potential rights infringement says Choate From fire, page 1
According to Kissel’s profile on FIRE’s website, he is a graduate of both Harvard University and the University of Chicago, where he studied the history and theory of liberal education and rhetoric as well as rhetoric’s relationship with philosophy. Before joining FIRE, he served as the director of the Lehrman American Studies Center and the Jack Miller Center for the Teaching of America’s Founding Principles. As for the thematic material that Kissel may cover in the speech, Tan and Choate detailed a few of the specific student rights concerns
that they believe exist at Vanderbilt. One of the issues mentioned was Vanderbilt’s hazing policy. “Vanderbilt needs to revise its definition of hazing to comply with either its own activities or to comply with the actual legal definition of hazing,” Tan said. According to Tan, multiple activities considered hazing by the university are not what hazing is legally defined as. “Really, if Vanderbilt wants to go by its definition of hazing, then the scavenger hunt that all freshmen go on during orientation would be considered hazing,” Tan said.
Choate also discussed the Community Creed as a potential rights infringement. “Its obligation to civility claims to guarantee respect for students’ rights but actually prohibits students from fully expressing their own opinions with all necessary emotion and emphasis,” Choate said. In defense of the university’s policies, Associate Provost and Dean of Students Mark Bandas said that the creed “is not part of our code of conduct and is not enforced by the University. No one can be disciplined for failing to uphold or abide by the creed.” ■
Congress, then controlled by Democrats, did not pass a budget for 2011. Pell Grants are the main federal college financial aid program for the poor. More than 9 million students receive these grants every year, according to the White House, and Obama increased the maximum award to $5,550. The money does not have to be repaid. The administration is projecting a shortfall of more than $20 billion in the program for the 2012. Without action, officials say, the maximum award would have to be cut by more than $2,500 to meet demand. Demand increased sharply since the economic slump because more job seekers are going to school to learn new skills and they need help paying the tuition, the administration official said. ■
COOLEST THIN G IN FITN ESS! AM
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama’s budget plan would cut $100 billion from Pell Grants and other higher education programs over a decade through belt-tightening and use the savings to keep the maximum college financial aid award at $5,550, an administration official said. Nearly $90 billion of the projected savings would be achieved through two changes, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity ahead of Monday’s release of Obama’s 2012 budget. The spending plan applies to the budget year that begins Oct. 1. Congress would have to approve both changes.
The first proposal would end the “year-round Pell” policy that let students collect two grants in a calendar year, with the second grant used for summer school. The official said the costs exceeded expectations and there was little evidence that students earn their degrees any faster. The change would save $8 billion next year and $60 billion over a decade, the official said. A second proposal would reduce loan subsidies for graduate and professional students. That would free $2 billion next year and save $29 billion over 10 years, according to the official. The government currently pays the interest on student loans for some graduate and professional students as long as they stay in college. But the official said experts
MON
TUE
WED
THU
FRI
SAT
6:00
6:00
6:00
6:00
6:00
8:00
9:30
9:30
9:30
9:30
9:30
9:30
SUN
9:30
12:00 12:00 12:00 12:00 12:00 12:00
PM
DARLENE SUPERVILLE Associated Press
4:30
4:30
4:30
4:30
6:15
6:15
6:15
6:15
7:45
7:45
7:45
7:45
4:30
4:30
4:30 6:15
2214 Elliston Place (1 Block from Campus) 615.321.8828
www.HotYogaNashville.com
4
Monday, February 14, 2011
The Vanderbilt Hustler
www.InsideVandy.com
opinion the vanderbilt hustler Editorial Board
Chris Honiball Editor-in-Chief
column
The chain of love
kyle blaine News Editor
theodore samets
Jesse Jones
Opinion Editor
Columnist
meghan rose Sports Editor
Olivia Kupfer Life Editor
The Vanderbilt Hustler Staff List
Editor-in-Chief Chris Honiball News Editor Kyle Blaine Opinion Editor Theodore Samets Sports Editor meghan rose
If my columns on heterosexuality over the past few weeks have seemed confusing, contradictory or even hypocritical, good. Ambiguity is the spice of life. Just ask White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, though you I doubt you’d get a
straight answer. If you’re getting conflicting messages, it’s because I have been going through changes. Very good changes. But before we go any further, I think we should talk about this. ... Nah. Let’s change the subject. In 18th century England, aesthetic taste wasn’t just a personal matter. It was an issue of public concern. This culture of taste made for lively debates and even a few personal vendettas. Think beefs between famous rappers, only with dead white aristocrats. Alexander Pope, the reigning poet of the period, set forth his ideas about life, the universe and everything else in his didactic poems, “An Essay on Criticism” and “An Essay on Man.” According to Pope, art was valuable to the degree that it was a faithful imitation of nature. Knowledge of the cosmos — heaven, earth, and things too small to see
— could be partially attained through empirical observation, but faith in divine will had to fill in the gaps. The entire structure of the universe could collapse if even one person — for greed or pride — broke with this “chain of love.” It was the poet’s job to literally smooth out these rifts in the fabric of the cosmos. When we want to talk about strange and unfamiliar ideas, we are accustomed to prefacing our statements with “according to.” But Pope didn’t just dream up these notions by himself; they already had currency in his society. When Pope’s readers picked up a copy of his poetry, it was assumed they already agreed with his general worldview, much the way conservatives tune in to Fox News and liberals opt for MSNBC. But since Pope’s day, poetry has suffered an enormous decline in importance. The public eye, like the Eye of Mordor, turns around pragmatic concerns: politics, diplomacy and economics. And it is good that we debate these things rationally, or at least try to. But too often, we only seem comfortable talking about things that are quantifiable and objective, so we fall in danger of viewing success exclusively in those terms. But what if America’s biggest problem isn’t the recession, or the Middle East, or even education — but a lack of love?
What if a revolution IS a dinner party? Then poets — and musicians, dancers, actors, painters, filmmakers and artists of all kinds — still have a lot to contribute to society. We appreciate these arts because they liberate our imaginations, bring us together and remind us of our common humanity; crucial components of life that can be all too easy to lose in the sheer numbers. On Valentine’s Day, more people engage with the beauty of poetry than on any other day, from “Roses are red” all the way up to the Romeo and Juliet balcony scene. We trade cards, stuff ourselves with chocolate, sing, dance and make love, or brood over being single — unless you live in Iran, where Valentine’s Day is banned. So, today, celebrate love. Love for yourself. Love for your family and friends. Maybe even love for that cute girl in your class or that handsome guy from your club. Love with respect; it’s like a condom for your heart. Love without jealousy, if you can. Love unconditionally. For in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make.
Jesse Jones is a junior in the College of — Arts and Science. He can be reached at jesse.g.jones@vanderbilt.edu.
Nate Beeler / MCT Campus
Cartoon
Asst Sports Editors eric single Jackson Martin Reid Harris Life Editor Olivia Kupfer Asst. Life Editors Lex ArdelJan-Braden Kyle Meacham Xiaoyu Qi Supervising Copy Editor Peter Nygaard InsideVandy Editor Chris mcDonald Marketing Director George Fischer
column
Valentine Love, it is frequently opined, means never having to say you’re sorry. Those interested in staying with their lovers, Columnist however, often opine that love means saying you’re sorry all the time, even when you’re not quite sure what you’re supposed to be sorry for. Apologies, after all, are less about repentance than maintenance of the status quo. If the girl in front of me at Starbucks was really sorry for holding up the line while she spent ten minutes deciding what to order, she would have picked a drink faster. She may offer us a sheepish “Sorry!” while she tries to decide, and I’m sure she is sorry that she makes us wait. She’s just not that sorry. Ditto for the lover who tries to buy some peace with profuse apologies before understanding the crime he’s committed. He’s sorry that he hurt his beloved, but he would also really, REALLY like for the yelling and crying to stop. So, maintaining the peace takes precedence over understanding the infraction. That’s not a problem, as long as the couple can discuss how to avoid future conflict when temperatures have cooled. In popular culture, though, that is the step that couples never take — probably because it makes for a less interesting story. Instead, the sexes are walled off, lest they come into real contact. Men are unable to understand their own emotions, let alone someone else’s, and women are clingy, anxious busybodies who find emotional offense in the most inconsequential of actions. They will never see each other’s perspective, and neither perspective is worth seeing anyway. In such a bifurcated world, apology without repentance really is the best anyone can do. Thankfully, we don’t live in that world. But we are pressured to think that we do. Comedians know the bifurcated world is funnier than ours (at least looking from the outside), and retailers know it’s easier to market to a neatly homogenized market. The world we live in is messy, and our cultural imagination prefers the tidiness of strictly delineated gender roles. So, the apology can only be used to declare a truce, never to make peace. Peace is the end of the fights and misunderstandings that make up the modern portrayal of the family. That’s why you will only see it at the end of an episode of a sitcom, and why it’s always shattered by the beginning of the next one. Real apologies make terrible TV. That may be one way of distinguishing real relationships from false ones: Real relationships can produce real apologies. Hopefully, couples don’t spend too much time apologizing, especially today. But don’t buy the hype. Love means saying you’re sorry — really sorry. And that’s only because (at least in this columnist’s humble opinion) real love means real growth. That’s something the stereotypical views of love, so prevalent every Valentine’s Day, can never offer. — Ben Wyatt is a senior in the College of Arts and Science. He can be reached at benjamin.k.wyatt@ vanderbilt.edu.
Ben Wyatt
column
Art Director Matt Radford Designers Jennifer Brown Emily Green Irene Hukkelhoven Katherine Miller Adriana salinas kristen webb Editorial Fellow gaby roman Photography Editor Oliver Wolfe VSC Director Chris Carroll Asst. VSC Directors Jeff Breaux Paige Clancy
Valentine’s Day, in the style of the Old Spice Man Hello, ladies. Look at your man. Now, back to me. Now, back to your man. Now, look at the man your man could be if your man wrote prose that shined with all the Matt colors of the rainbow. Popkin Chartreuse. Turquoise. Columnist Cinnamon. Sadly, your man isn’t me. And it’s Valentine’s Day, which means you’re probably stuck with a man who thinks he can win your love by buying you an ordinary gift. Ha! Everyone is laughing now. Can your man smell like me? Maybe, if he only showers once a week. But can he look like Jerry Seinfeld like me? Let me answer that question with another question. No? Look up. Look down. You’re in Sarratt, reading The Hustler with the man your man could be if he wasn’t so busy trying
opinion POLIC Y The Vanderbilt Hustler opinion page aims to stimulate discussion in the Vanderbilt community. In that spirit, columnists, guest columnists and authors of letters to the editor are expected to provide logical argument to back their views. Unreasonable arguments, arguments in bad faith or arguments in vain between columnists have no place in The Hustler and will not be published. The Hustler welcomes reader viewpoints and offers three methods of expression: letters to the editor, guest columns and feedback on InsideVandy.com. Letters must be submitted either in person by the author to the Hustler office or via e-mail to opinion@insidevandy.com. Letters via e-mail must come from additional contacts
Your voice doesn’t stop here. The Vanderbilt Hustler encourages its readers to voice their opinions on legislative issues. The following students and legislators represent the Vanderbilt community.
President Lori Murphy Vanderbilt Student Government 3028 Station B lori.t.murphy@vanderbilt.edu Sarratt 355 (615) 322-8742
U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander United States Senate Washington, DC 20510 (202) 224-4944 (615) 736-5129
to buy your love. Turn around. Look left. Look right. I’m not there, but if I was, you would call the police. What’s that in your hand? Back to me, I have it now. It’s the taser you were about to shoot into my neck when I came up behind you and surprised you. Look again. Now it’s a key to the wardrobe full of clothes your man bought you. I too bought you a wardrobe — the kind that leads to Narnia. Explore a magical world, filled with the Randwiches I make for you in the house built entirely out of our love and centaur labor. Did you know I just took out a second mortgage on our love to build a heartshaped pool? Swan dive, right into the most magical night of your life — and unlike the main character of a Nicholas Sparks book, neither you nor anyone close to you will have to die of cancer immediately afterwards. Do you want a man who will watch “A Walk To Remember” with you? Or do
you want a man who will turn you into a vampire the first time you ask him, saving everyone a lot of time and tears? Trick question: You want both. But you’re getting neither because your man is too busy wasting money buying you roses. I too bought you flowers — ones from my exact recreation of the Garden of Eden. Fig leaves, anyone? Your man wants to take you out to a fancy dinner. I would too, but the budget is tight for our date. Magical wardrobes are expensive. First, I pick you up in my roommate’s Volvo. I get you to put on a blindfold; you ready your taser. I drive in circles; you think we are actually going somewhere. Open your eyes. It’s very dark. Now, take off the blindfold. You’re now with the man your man could be if your man didn’t give you Hallmark cards for Valentine’s Day. We are now at our favorite French
a Vanderbilt e-mail address where the identity of the sender is clear. With rare exception, all letters must be received by 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Thursday or Sunday. The editor reserves the right to edit and condense submissions for length as well as clarity. Lengthy letters that focus on an issue affecting students might be considered for a guest column at the editor’s discretion. All submissions become the property of The Hustler and must conform to the legal standards of Vanderbilt Student Communications, of which The Hustler is a division.
U.S. Sen. Bob Corker United States Senate Washington, DC 20510 (202) 224-3344 (615) 279-9488
Rep. Jim Cooper U.S. House of Rep. Washington, DC 20515 (202) 225-4311 (615) 736-5295
Rep. Brenda Gilmore Tenn. District 54 P.O. Box 281934 Nashville, TN 37228 (615) 876-3665
eatery, MaccaDinaldo’s. The waitress takes our order without us having to leave the car. Because it is a special day, I let you get two orders of chicken nuggets. We eat under the Golden Arches. Cupid tries to reach inside our car and stroke your hair. And by Cupid, I mean a homeless man who has wandered into the parking lot. I take you home and drop you off at the door of your dorm. Your man is waiting with chocolates. I tase him and read you poetry — my final gift: a Haiku. Demand more, ladies. See the man your man could be If only he violated the five-syllable rule in the name of love, just like me. Matt Popkin is a senior in the College — of Arts and Science. He can be reached at matthew.d.popkin@vanderbilt.edu.
correction POLIC Y Accuracy is our profession. As the “Voice of Vanderbilt,” we are committed to ensuring our work is fair and accurate. Errors of substance will be corrected. With very rare exception, these corrections will be listed on Page 2. Bring corrections to the Hustler office in Sarratt 130 or e-mail us at hustler. news@insidevandy.com. You may also report them by telephone to the news line at (615) 322-2424.
Sen. Douglas Henry Jr. Tenn. District 21 11 Legislative Plaza Nashville, TN 37243-0021 (615) 741-2380
Council Member Kristine LaLonde 2005 20th Avenue South Nashville, TN 37212 (615) 522-7319
www.InsideVandy.com
life Punch Brothers music
C. Taylor Crothers/ Photo Provided Ben Ries Staff Writer Anybody looking for a great concert — and fortunate enough to have some free time this Tuesday — would do well to check out the Punch Brothers’ upcoming performance at Mercy Lounge. Though based out of New York, the band’s members hail from across the country. Their sound could most accurately be described as progressive bluegrass, but the talent and versatility of all five members results in songs that brim with ideas and defy typical genre conventions. The Brothers’ latest album, “Antifogmatic” (2010), offers 10 samples of their stellar, straightforward bluegrass,
but this is only a shade of the eclectic styles that the group has mastered. The Punch Brothers really come to life during live performances, where the group seamlessly transitions from their traditional songs to 10-minute arrangements written by lead singer Chris Thile and covers of classics by groups like Radiohead, The White Stripes and The Beatles. This accomplishment is no small feat: One minute, Thile might be shouting, “Rye whiskey makes the band sound better, makes your baby cuter, makes itself taste sweeter. Oh, boy!” from the group’s terrific “Rye Whiskey,” only to suddenly segue into Yorkian paranoia with a chant of “Cut the kids in half” from
Radiohead’s “Morning Bell.” On that cover, the group ingenuously substitutes a thundering mandolin line for Phil Selway’s robotic beat and violin glissandi for Radiohead’s electronic distortions. The Punch Brothers took their name from a Mark Twain story called “Punch, Brother, Punch!” about a jingle so catchy that it overwhelms the minds of the people who hear it. The reference is appropriate, as live performances of the irresistible “You Are” and Grammy-nominated “New Chance Blues” are likely to have similar effects. The Punch Brothers will be performing at 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 15, at the Mercy Lounge. Doors open at 8 p.m. and tickets are $20.00. ■
The Vanderbilt Hustler
Monday, February 14, 2011
5
culture
The finer points of Franzia jim whiteside Staff Writer Though boxed wines may have a reputation for being less savory than traditional bottled wines, TPAC’s The Art of Boxed Wine fundraising event Thursday proved otherwise. All of the wines featured at the event were provided by The Wine Group, the world’s thirdlargest wine producer. The Wine Group’s most famous product is Franzia — an oft-stigmatized drink — but the company’s other wines proved to be worth more than a game of “slap the bag.” The Wine Group has a line of products in their Octavin Home Wine Bar line that come in octagonal boxes and, as it turns out, are actually quite good. Here are a few pointers from the event: • Boxed wine is cheap! OK, so most students probably already know this one, but this time, it’s a good thing. The Wine Group’s other brands, such as Boho, Monthaven or Pinot Evil, retail for only $16-20 a box. Since boxes are generally larger than bottles, you get much more wine for your money. A box of wine contains the equivalent of four bottles. • Boxed wine is good for the Earth. Companies that make boxed wine don’t have to ship bottles around the planet, and the materials they use are much more sustainable. The result is a carbon footprint 85 percent smaller than that of traditional bottled wine.
chris honiball/ The Vanderbilt Hustler • Boxed wine is actually really good. The Wine Group strives to make each product in the Octavin line top-notch. Whether they come from one of The Wine Group’s many brands or another such as Black Box or Hardy’s, it’s actually quite surprising that some of these wines came from boxes.
• Drinking wine is a social thing, so don’t be too formal about it. Try different types of wine to find one that you like, and don’t assume you just like reds or whites. Throw a wine tasting party and have everyone bring a different box or bottle for everyone to try. So, Vanderbilt, go out and try some boxed wine! ■
6
Monday, February 14, 2011
The Vanderbilt Hustler
www.InsideVandy.com
sports
Jenkins’ 32-point performance leads Vanderbilt past Wildcats Men’s Basketball
Brian Linhares Sports Writer As No. 24 Vanderbilt (18-6, 6-4 Southeastern Conference) faced a 38-hour turnaround following the home victory against Alabama late Thursday night, head coach Kevin Stallings publicly declared, “We have a team rule against being tired until 3 p.m. on Saturday.” Sophomore guard John Jenkins did not break that rule. In front of a national television audience, the 6-foot-4-inch guard played all but 23 seconds while shredding the Wildcat defense, en route to a career-high 32 points. His efforts gave the Commodores an 81–77 win over Kentucky (17-7, 5-5 SEC) on Saturday afternoon in Memorial Gymnasium, their third consecutive victory. “We just couldn’t stop them on the other end. We couldn’t really contain (John) Jenkins; he had a great game,” said Kentucky forward Josh Harrellson. In nearly 40 minutes of action, Jenkins connected on 11 of his 17 attempts from the floor — and six of 11 from beyond the 3-point arc. The rest of the Commodores followed suit, shooting 46.3 percent from the field and 55.5 percent from long range. “There were some of (Jenkins’ shots) we were all over,” said Kentucky head coach John Calipari.
We were playing almost like it was a box-and-one.” “Almost” is the operative word, for Vanderbilt was not a oneman show. Redshirt junior Festus Ezeli and junior Steve Tchiengang balanced the efforts of Jenkins in the frontcourt, combining for 26 points and nine rebounds. Moreover, the insertion of Tchiengang, as well as freshmen Kyle Fuller and Rod Odom, into the lineup provided a much-needed lift. “It was our goal to put (Kentucky) in foul trouble, but it ended up being the opposite,” Stallings said. “We had to play line-ups with guys that don’t play together very often.” The mix-and-match lineups proved capable for Stallings’ team. “I am very proud,” Stallings said. “Our bench was phenomenal. Fuller, Odom and Tchiengang were as good as I could have hoped.” The Commodores outscored Kentucky 33-23 over the next 12 minutes, taking a 44-40 lead into the locker room. Yet, the Wildcats would not back down. Freshman forward Terrence Jones matched Ezeli and Tchiengang, as he notched 25 points and nine rebounds in 38 minutes of work. Stallings praised the efforts of Jones, saying, “I mean this in the most complimentary way: He’s a beast. He’s a handful. We knew
7:16
Kentucky by the numbers
Minutes and seconds of game time during which Festus Ezeli and Steve Tchiengang were on the court together
he would be before the game, and he’s not the only player that’s a handful.” Point guard Brandon Knight proved to be another one of those players. The Florida native added 20 points and a pair of assists. Knight and Jones combined for 21 of Kentucky’s final 26 points. In particular, they bridged a six-point difference, 75-69, with just over two minutes to play, to bring the Wildcats within two. “Down six is only two baskets,” Knight said. “Terrence (Jones) was able to hit a three. Then, I was able to hit a three — so, that’s your sixpoint spread there. It was just a matter of getting stops on the other end.” Calipari’s squad, however, could not stop the Commodores. Four free throws by junior point guard Brad Tinsley in the final 32 seconds of regulation cemented a Vanderbilt win. “We’ll take it. I wish it could count for two, but it only counts for one,” Stallings said. “And the way this league is, we don’t get a lot of time to appreciate our wins. Wednesday, the Commodores travel to Athens for a matchup against the Georgia Bulldogs (17-7, 6-4 SEC). “We soon have to turn to a really good Georgia team,” Stallings said. “I am proud of our guys and how they played.” ■
20
Vanderbilt bench points supplied by substitutes Tchiengang, Rod Odom and Kyle Fuller
Murphy byrne/ The Vanderbilt Hustler John Jenkins set a career high with 32 points, despite being marked by Brandon Knight and DeAndre Liggins, two of the conference’s best perimeter defenders.
17
Second-half points for Kentucky forward Terrence Jones, including 8 of the Wildcats’ final 16 points
Men’s Basketball
John Jenkins vs. Kentucky: 23 goes wild against the Cats
30.4
Percent shooting from behind the arc on Saturday for the Wildcats, the conference’s best threepoint shooting team whose average sits at 39.9 percent
10
Combined made free throws, in 11 attempts, between Ezeli and Brad Tinsley, including a perfect 6-for-6 performance in the final minute
Men’s Basketball
COACH’S CORNER
A career-high point total
with Kevin Stallings
Seconds that John Jenkins was not on the court
%
THREE-POINT FIELD GOAL PERCENTAGE
Basketball Head Coach BECK FRIEDMAN/ The Vanderbilt Hustler On the team’s performance: “We’ll take it. I wish it could count for two, but it only counts for one. And the way this league is, we don’t get a lot of time to appreciate our wins. We soon have to turn to a really good Georgia team. I am proud of our guys and how they played.”
I told Coach (Stallings) this must be a dream or something because this can’t be real. Being from here, you see a lot of great games against Kentucky and just to be a part of that legacy now is just something special.
On John Jenkins’ play against Kentucky: “He’s a great team guy. He runs around and shoots and he does his best on defense. That’s what makes his success fun to watch ... He’s a great teammate and a great kid.”
—John Jenkins
On whether or not John Jenkins elevated himself to the national stage: “I’ll let the media worry about that. He will still get yelled at in practice Monday.”
TURNOVER, COMPARED TO 3 ASSISTS Time remaining when Jenkins hit his final three, giving VU a lead it would not relinquish POINTS PER GAME IN SEC GAMES, LEADING THE CONFERENCE
On Jenkins’ playing nearly 40 minutes: “I took him out in the first half ... At one point, (basketball staffer Dan) Muller told me he’d been in a long time and we needed to get him out. I told him we’ll get him out tomorrow.” Murphy byrne/ The Vanderbilt Hustler Jenkins (23) has scored 18 points or more in every game he has played in since the start of 2011. The sophomore shooting guard’s career day against Kentucky on Saturday was highlighted by a 6-for-10 performance from three-point range.
On Steve Tchiengang’s performance: “Steve (Tchiengang) doesn’t usually play in the forward spot and he played it better than anybody ... He played it beautifully.” ■
www.InsideVandy.com
The Vanderbilt Hustler
Column
Journal: Camping out for UK
Monday, February 14, 2011
7
Weekend in Vandy sports women’s basketball
murphy byrne/ The Vanderbilt Hustler Dozens of Vanderbilt students camped out Friday night to secure front row seats to see the Commodores upset No. 18 Kentucky 81-77. The student section was filled with students particpating in the school sponsored “Blackout” where they received black t-shirts and coozies. Jackson Martin Asst. Sports Editor This weekend, I felt like a Duke student. No, I didn’t act like a massive tool to everyone, and I certainly didn’t use the adjective “Reddickulous,” or show any affinity for floor-slapping, whining at officials, “hustle” players that will never make it in the NBA despite Dickie V telling everyone that they are what he’s talking about, baby — but I did camp out overnight for a basketball game. That’s right, there are about 50 or so Vanderbilt students that love their team enough to brave below freezing temperatures in order to get a good seat in the student section for a nationally televised game against an SEC rival. Or at least were pledging a fraternity that made them camp out so the brothers could get those good seats.
And there are about 200 more who were willing to tell everyone that they did the same, and moved in front of us with their friends “who were just holding their spot for them.” But I don’t even care, because they didn’t get the experience of camping out for the game. They didn’t get to experience just how cold 30 degrees actually feels when it comes with a blustery wind at three in the morning. They didn’t get to experience figuring out how to get maximum blanket coverage because you didn’t plan ahead enough to rent a tent from the rec center. And they definitely didn’t get to taste any of the delicious coffee and hot chocolate that the VUPD brought us at 3:30 a.m. But in all seriousness, it was pretty miserable out there. I’m from Atlanta, Ga., so my body is just not ready to handle bonechilling temperatures the likes
of which can do crazy things like turn rain into snow. And, as anyone who lives in one of the freshman dorms knows, it only has to be 55 degrees outside for you to get hypothermia, which prominently figured in my mind all night. Everyone tried different ways to beat the freezing temperatures, some of which seemed reasonable, like the guy who had, by my count, at least seven blankets and a snuggie on. Others tried less sensible, but way more fun methods, like the tent that split a case of Natty Light to stay warm. But by the time the sun came up and the CBS cameras were out to film us brave few, it all started to seem like there was a purpose to what we had endured. By the time we got into Memorial, received our black t-shirts (As a side note, the shirts went with the phrase “Protect this house.” Really, Vanderbilt?
We’re not even an Under Armour school. We can do better.) and filed down to the front of the student section, I knew it was all definitely worth it. For my night of struggling against the bitter Nashville winter, I got a third row seat to see John Jenkins and our Commodores take down the No. 18 Kentucky Wildcats, the team I grew up rooting for. Sure, I was so exhausted I went back to my dorm and slept for 10 hours afterwards, but no one can ever take that experience away from me. Unless the NCAA finds out we paid $180,000 for John Jenkins to come play here. I’m pretty sure they have the power to take it away from me. ■ — Jackson Martin is a freshman in the College of Arts and Science. He can be reached at jackson.o.martin@vanderbilt. edu.
Beck Friedman/ The Vanderbilt Hustler Jence Rhoads (22) and the Commodores could not hold on to the 13point lead they held at the half on Sunday, falling 65-57 to Tennessee.
Vandy Weekend scores Saturday
Sunday
Women’s Tennis vs. Notre Dame W, 4-0
Men’s Tennis vs. Michigan
Lacrosse vs. Presbyterian
Women’s Tennis vs. Michigan
Men’s Tennis vs. Washington W, 5-2
Women’s Bowling at Capital Classic
W, 22-3
W, 5-2
L, 4-3
2nd place
Be on the lookout for THE HUSTLER’S upcoming special issues:
V You The Vanderbilt Hustler's Fashion, Health and Beauty Guide
Wednesday, February 16 A specialty pull-out section that will focus on fashion, health and beauty for a college student. This special issue will include fashion trends, health and beauty tips, healthly eating options and much more.
Summer is a great time to catch up, get ahead or try something new. 4 Choose from more than 300 courses
4 Immerse yourself in an intensive language or science sequence 4 Earn transfer credit and fulfill major and degree requirements 4 Enjoy summer on Northwestern’s beautiful lakefront campus
The Tournament The Vanderbilt Hustler’s NCAA Basketball Tournament Guide
Wednesday, March 16 A specialty pull-out section that will highlight the upcoming NCAA Women’s and Men’s Basketball Tournament. This special issue will include both Men’s and Women’s tournament brackets and contain content on the annual March Tournaments.
Registration opens April 4. Classes begin June 20. www.northwestern.edu/summer
For campus or Nashville advertising opportunities in these special issues, please contact George Fischer at 322-1884 or george.h.fischer@Vanderbilt.Edu
8
Monday, February 14, 2011
www.InsideVandy.com
The Vanderbilt Hustler
back page View The Hustler online at InsideVandy.com
Who sees this ad?
11,500 students and many faculty/staff, parents and alumni
Click the Hustler button at the bottom right of the home page
Level: 1
2
3
4
Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit www.sudoku.org.uk SOLUTION TO SATURDAY’S PUZZLE 2/11 Solutions
2/14/11
© 2011 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Media Services. All rights reserved.
crossword Across 1 Hearts, e.g. 5 Soft pats 9 Physicist Enrico 14 Sink cleaner 15 Straddling 16 Hipbone-related 17 It’s quite a story 18 Kind of nut 19 Bridal path 20 Bounty, to the hunted 23 “Cheerio!” 24 2011 Rose Bowl champs: Abbr. 25 From A __ 28 Fox-sighting cry 31 Dallas hoopster, for short 34 “Tosca” or “Pagliacci” 36 Hawaiian neckwear 37 Gradually lose color 38 Examine quickly 42 Strong as __ 43 Wall climber 44 Skating jumps 45 One of a D.C. 100 46 Golfer Craig known as “the Walrus” 49 Once called, in wedding notices 50 Disco __ of “The Simpsons” 51 Followers: Suf. 53 Frolic vigorously 61 Being not from 41-Down 62 Silents actress Negri 63 Appeal 64 Meas. of the cereal without the box
65 Helen of __ 66 Run __: go wild 67 Lock of hair 68 Cuts, as logs 69 With “in,” what can follow the phrase formed by the ends of 20-, 38- and 53-Across Down 1 [Heavens!] 2 Cracked open 3 Nativity trio 4 Right on the money 5 Former territory where Mount Rushmore is 6 Lacking a musical key 7 Western necktie 8 Time period 9 Total flop 10 College benefactor Yale 11 Greet the judge 12 __ fide: in bad faith 13 Topped a cupcake 21 Really bug 22 Set of moral principles 25 Colosseum garments 26 Think aloud 27 “Werewolves of London” singer Warren __ 29 Architect Frank __ Wright 30 Itch 31 Expert 32 Fred’s dancing sister
2/14/11 33 Limericks and such 35 Stout of whodunits 37 Sly critter 39 Asked boldly, as for money 40 Actress Longoria 41 Planet nearest Mars, usually 46 Daring feats 47 Stay out of sight 48 Blue book exams 50 Depicts unfairly, as data 52 Flower leaf
53 “Critique of Pure Reason” writer 54 Robert of “The Sopranos” 55 Refer to 56 Chooses (to) 57 Nick Charles’s wife 58 Sailor’s patron saint 59 Pope before Sergius III 60 “For Pete’s __!”
2/11/11 Solutions
20% OFF ALL SERVICES WITH VANDY ID Hair • Nails • Skin Care • Makeup Med Spa Services • Waxing Men’s haircuts starting at $29 Women’s haircuts starting at $39